Outrage in Moscow over potential Olympic ban

Friday, June 17, 2016 - 01:24

Russians criticize the ban on their Olympic athletics team over a doping scandal as unfair. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

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Russian hopes of competing in the Rio Olympics may now be at the mercy of the IOC -- after the world athletics' governing body unanimously upheld its ban on the country for systematic doping on Friday.
Russia, a superpower of track and field, had lobbied furiously to avert the prospect of a Summer games without its athletes.
President Vladimir Putin denied that Russian authorities had ever colluded in doping.
And he urged authorities not to use sport to push an anti-Russian agenda.
On the streets of Moscow: more criticism
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, OLEG, SAYING:
"I take it negatively. I wouldn't want these tough measures being taken against our athletes because they are preparing, they are working hard and I think they didn't deserve such tough measures."
Russian authorities have vowed to defend athletes against a ban. A view echoed on the streets
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, INNA, SAYING:
"I view this decision as a violation of Russia's rights and a violation of our interests in sports. I completely disagree with it. I will probably be crying all night."
The International Olympic Committee has not ruled out granting Russian athletes a special dispensation.

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